Jimbo's Lake Lake Lanier Fishing Guide Report: 2/28/2012

Hello Friends -

It has been awhile since my last report. I have been on the water with trips for the past 10 days or so and took today off to recharge the batteries a bit. It has been awesome out there with many big fish being caught and I have had the pleasure of hosting several new clients in the last week or so - thank you all so much for your business and for keeping me so busy!!

The predominant pattern for us over the past week has been focusing on pockets both off of the main lake and in creeks. There are still several fish in the creek ditches as well. During times when they are active, they can be found shallow in those creek ditches - the average depth we have caught them in is 8-12 feet. There are still fish deeper in the creek ditches as well and can be caught there. Look for these fish to continue to move up and appear in wolf packs during high activity periods as the water continues to warm.

We have also tracked down some big largemouth over the past week. Most have came off of docks or in the very back of creeks - the skinny water! Make casts to water so shallow you can't believe it would hold a fish and you may get your arm broke! The sunny pockets work best for the lips - with the full moon coming on March 8, the next few days can be a great time to pop a huge largemouth.

The tactics we have used to maximize our catch during the past week have varied based on the weather and water conditions. I prefer the sunny weather this time of year, but they can still be caught in the cloudy weather too. The Fish Head Spin has been our most consistent bait daily, with the jerkbait coming in a close second. Davis Shaky Head worms, jigs, and swimbaits on a Swarm have also produced good results.

I only have Thursday open this week, and then only Friday next week. Give me a ring or drop me a note if you would like to get out one of those days and catch some pigs!

Thanks to everyone for your support and kind words when I see you around the lake. Good luck to all and may God Bless!!

Jimbo

Jimbo's Lake Lanier Fishing Guide Report: 2/19/2012

Hey Gang -

I was out on trips all this past week and we had some great success through the week, particularly with the big girls.

We worked creek ditches, secondary points, and pockets for the majority of our fish. However, I will say that there are a few choice main lake points that produced some of the pigs pictured above. We also found some creeks holding big fish, particularly in the ditches. These fish were in or near a ditch holding next to cover in water less than 15 feet deep. Some of the big fish we caught were full of eggs too, so you know what is around the corner. The fish we caught were big enough to be over 6 pounds by the look, but upon further examination, the extra bulk was produced from roe, not muscle. Thus many of the fish weighed just over or just under 5 pounds. Still, they are great fish and very healthy.

The jerkbait and jig produced many big fish this week, along with the Davis Shaky Head tipped with a trick worm. We also caught several solid fish on the FHS and a crankbait - it just depended on the day. I was out today on a full day trip as well - even in the cold and rain, we pounded a good sack and had around 20 fish. Everything today was on the jerkbait - I will include pics from today's trip and some more from this week in my next post.

I am also pleased to report that one of my recent customers won the Co-Angler side of the BFL yesterday - awesome work Seth! We worked on the FHS and jig and where/how to use them from the back of the boat. His confidence grew and he was able to best the field with his new-found confidence in these baits. He has promised me a picture with his trophy soon - I will share once I receive it!

I am full this entire week through next Sunday, but I do have a couple of dates open the week of Feb 27th. Give me a ring if you would like to get out and hammer the hogs!!

Best of Luck to everyone, and may God Bless -

Jimbo

Jimbo's Lake Lake Lanier Fishing Guide Report: 2/12/2012

Check out my newest video!!

Hey Everyone -

I hope everyone is well and enjoying life! It has been a fantastic week on Lanier for us this past week. I was out on trips everyday this past week and we experienced some awesome results. I have highlighted some of the week's action below.

On Tuesday, I was out with the "Unknown Angler". Unknown and I had an awesome day together and caught some great fish through the day. Our main baits included the Davis Shaky Head, Truit Jerkbaits, and the FHS. We caught fish shallow through the AM in creek ditches and then transitioned out to cover in 18-22 feet on the main lake for our fish in the afternoon. Our best 5 went 17 pounds for the day. Great job to the unknown! See you again soon!

On Wednesday, we had a stellar day. Bob and his buddy John came up from the Vidalia, GA area to catch some spots. I did not disappoint!! Bob and John drilled 30 bass that day, with their best 5 going a Whopping 20 pounds and 3 ounces. We threw crankbaits, worms, spoons, and the FHS for the majority of our fish. We started shallow and stayed shallow most of the day in creeks and on the main lake. John had bragging rights for the day with a 5 pound, 5 ounce TANK of a spotted bass - great fish John! Looking forward to seeing you guys again soon!

On Thursday, I had the pleasure of taking out Sam B. Sam and I met at Bass Pro and firmed up a trip at the Great Southern Fishing Show. Sam wanted to learn a little more about the lake and understand strategies for patterning and catching spotted bass in early spring. We worked on a couple of specific strategies. During our short afternoon trip, we caught fish on a Davis Shaky Head and a jig. The fish were in the 20-25 feet range and all were very good fish. We worked main lake points and secondary points for our fish. Sam picked up the use of the Shaky Head very quickly - he was a quick study!! Together, he and I hammered an 18 pound sack of spots. He is pictured above with 4 of these awesome fish. Nice work Sam - great day on the water and looking forward to next time. And yes folks, the pics are of different fish - they were just all studs!

I wanted to end this report with an email that a recent customer sent me, unsolicited, regarding a trip on my boat in late January:

"I flew from East TX to spend a day on Lanier with Jimbo and my breaux-n-law, Phil. When we booked the trip, we were expecting 60 degree Spring weather, what we got was a 15 mph North wind, cold front passage, rain in the a.m. and bluebird skies in the p.m. Not the best fishing conditions, but Jimbo pressed on throughout the day to make sure we were on fish and taking our best shot at big spots. No pics of my 3.9 personal best, (a Texas thing), but I had a great time and felt that Jimbo was the hardest working man on the boat. A note on equipment: Jimbo's ZX250 Skeeter provided a great ride and stable platform on rough water. He provided super smooth Shimano Chronarchs and Sahara spins on GLoomis/Denali rods. No short cuts in quality for this guide's clients. Super trip, Jimbo! I will be back with some other Texas boys, soon." Kirk M. Lake Fork, TX.

Kirk - thanks for the kind words - looking forward to our next trip!

I don't have any open dates until the week of February 20th. Please call me or drop me a line if you would like to get out the week of the 20th. I am filling up for Spring very quickly - make sure to book your trip soon!! 770-542-7764 Thanks to everyone for the recent calls - I appreciate your business very much!

For Fishing Reports on other GA Lakes, make sure to visit: havefunfishing.com

May God Bless -

Jimbo

Jimbo On Lanier - Jimbo's Spotted Bass Guide Service
Call: 770-542-7764
Website: www.jimboonlanier.com

Jimbo's Lake Lake Lanier Fishing Guide Report: 2/5/2012

Hey Everyone -

We had a very good week on the pond last week. I was out on the water everyday (thanks to everyone for the calls - I am grateful!!) and our worst day was 15 pounds for our best 5.

I found the lower lake to be inconsistent, so we went North and found a very solid pattern for spots that we ran every day last week. My clients enjoyed some very consistent catches of 15 pounds plus daily with great numbers as well. We also searched the likely areas for big largemouth daily but could only catch the bucks when we tried. The females will be there soon without question, especially with the weather we have forecasted in the coming days.

While the areas did not change much for us from day to day, the preferred bait certainly did. We focused on ditches in shallow water early, then transitioned to cover in those same ditches, as well as to main-river points and sharp drops with cover in 15 - 32 feet of water.

The Fish Head Spin was our main weapon, and the supporting cast included: jigs, Davis Shaky Heads, spoons, crankbaits, and jerkbaits. There was one day the jig just ruled from start to finish, but the other days it was the FHS and one or two of the above.

I only have Friday and Saturday open this upcoming week. I have Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday open the following week. Give me a ring or drop me a line if you would like to get out and enjoy some of this fantastic action! Call me TODAY! 770-542-7764

For Reports on other Georgia Lakes, check out www.havefunfishing.com

Thanks to all and May God Bless!

Jimbo "When pride comes,then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." Proverbs 11:2

Jimbo On Lanier - Jimbo's Spotted Bass Guide Service
Call: 770-542-7764
Website: www.jimboonlanier.com

Lake Lanier Fishing Guide Report: 1/27/2012

Hello Everybody -

It has been another great week on Lanier for us. The lake has came up nearly 2 feet in the recent days. I have had trips all week, and we have continued to hammer monster spots up shallow all week long. It has been a blast out there.

I was out with Bayou Betty from GON this week - we had a great trip and got some super video - look for that soon. I am also thrilled to report that BB got her personal best spotted bass with me this week - just under 5 pounds - what a donkey!

Also this week, I had out one of my repeat customer, Roger M. Roger and I struggled through the afternoon a bit, then pounded some really good fish in the last hour of the day. Great work Roger - way to stick with it.

Today, I had out my good customer Phil Stewart. Phil brought out his buddy Kirk who was visiting from Texas. We had a blast and caught a very good sack of fish, including the 4 pound, 12 oz. toad pictured above - great day Phil and nice work to both you and Kirk!

We have been fishing creeks as well as main lake for these toads. The Fish Head Spin, crankbaits, Truit Jerkbaits, swimbaits, jigs, and Davis Shaky Heads have all bagged big ones this week. And, another quick plug, every plastic or jig I throw is soaked in the Magic!!

I am out on another full day trip tomorrow, but I do have some days open next week. The weather looks nice and warm next week - plenty of sunny weather and shallow fish- let's go catch 'em!! Give me a ring or drop me a note.

Thanks to all, and may God Bless!!

Jimbo

Jimbo On Lanier - Jimbo's Spotted Bass Guide Service
Call: 770-542-7764
Website: www.jimboonlanier.com

Jimbo's Lake Lake Lanier Fishing Guide Report: 1/20/2012

Hey Everyone -

It has been a phenomenal week on Lanier this week for us - we have had some outstanding success with big fish and big sacks. We have caught some TRUCKS this week, including a trophy spot that weighed 6 pounds, 5 ounces and a LM that weighed 8 pounds, 2 ounces. Both of these big fish, caught on Wednesday and Thursday, anchored 19-20 pound + sacks.

You can fish deep if you want, but these monsters have came in 18 feet of water or less, and many from 1-6 feet of water. Given the long range forecast with highs in the 50's and 60's, I don't expect this to change. Based on the LM catches that we have experienced plus what has been reported to me, I believe the largemouth are in pre-spawn mode already. Lot's of big lips were caught this week, including an 8.3 that I know of on Sunday, a 26.5 sack of lips to win a tournament on Sunday, as well as 34.43 lbs sack of heads up North on Tuesday (Here's to you Joe - nice catch, beautiful sack brother!)

Our main weapon this week for the big fish has been the Fish Head Spin and a crankbait. The 6.5 spot came on a FHS, and the 8.2 LM came on a crankbait. When the moving bait bite has slowed down, we have been using a trick worm on a Davis Shaky Head to get bit up shallow. We have been focusing on points at the mouths of creeks and the shallow portion of ditches for our fish.

I had some great customers this week including Justin and his Dad and Person X. Justin, his dad and I had a great day on Wednesday and caught several very nice fish. Person X was with me on Thursday when I caught the big spot, and he is sporting some 4 pounders of his own - nice work X!!

I will be at the Great Southern Fishing Show on Saturday and Sunday and will be discussing how I use the FHS to catch monster spots. I have a seminar at 10 AM on Saturday, and 10:30 AM on Sunday in the Trout room. Hope to see you there.

I still have some days open next week, so please give me a ring and let's go catch some MONSTERS!!

Thanks to all, and May God Bless!

Jimbo

Jimbo at Bass Pro and Atlanta Boat Show

Hey Everyone -
I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who took the opportunity to come see me this weekend at either the Atlanta Boat Show or Bass Pro Shops. It was a great weekend of teaching and I enjoyed meeting everyone.
I have since seen some very kind comments on this board and GON from those who visited. Thank you very much - I appreciate the feedback and your support! Hopefully, the information that I shared on the Fish Head Spin will help your fishing.
I focus my efforts with my customers on teaching. I want them to walk away with knowledge that will lead them to improved success on the water. I recently received a couple of emails from my customers that I wanted to share with everyone.
The first is from a customer of mine who fishes with me regularly on Lanier, and then takes the information/training and applies it to his home lake, Lake Hartwell:
"Hey Jim, Happy New Year! Some mighty big toads you be showing off. I just wanted to take a moment to share with you that your help and instruction with me has produced some fabulous results. I have had absolutely the best 3 months of fishing in all my time up on Hartwell. I mean it has simply been outragous. I have caught way more fish and much, much better fish than ever before. Some of my success has been due to the shakey head and drop shot techniques you taught me. Much of it has also come by fishing smarter, better locations and not working extended areas, but fishing quality spots and moving on quicker. I have gone blank in a number of locations and then pull up on one and whack 'em so hard I just get giddy. For me, its just been amazing. I will be checking in with you in mid to late Feburary as I would like to develop a better arsenal for the pre spawn and spawning periods. Hopefully by then I will have acquired a Lowrance sonar unit and we can review its operational functions to help me maximize the investment. Sincerely, thanks so much for helping me dramatically improve this past season's time on my home waters"
Shortly after this email, I received another one from a recent customer regarding the Sworming Hornet Video I shot recently with Rick Steckleberg in addition to our fishing day in November:
"AWESOME stuff is the norm when i open your weekly emails. Only problem is I want to go fishing at the end of each email. But God has blessed us with lots of work, so I'll keep working and re-filling the coffers and I'll see ya soon. You are a great pitch man. Im going to buy 100's of dollars worth of fish head spins so i can win....good video. By the way when I fished with you in November I watched you drag the fish head spin in ditches. So I was at lake Jackson for our first tourney of the year(past sunday), and I dragged the fish head spin across points on the lower end of lake and caught 3 nice spots!!! - thanks to your demo. great reports man, thank you for all of them"
Gang - this is why I do what I do! I love to help people, and I love to fish. If you haven't yet, come with me and try a different guide experience than you have had before - I look forward to hearing from you and thank you to all who have been out with me so far - there are many, many great trips to come!
I have Thursday and Friday open this week - give me a ring or drop me a note if you would like to get out. It's a great time to learn the FHS and other valuable techniques for winter fishing. The forecast looks good!! We can throw a FHS or worm shallow, or a jig, worm, and spoon out deep to catch good fish. Let's go fish!! 770-542-7764
Finally, a quick reminder: I will be at the Great Southern Fishing Show this Saturday and Sunday, which will be held at the North Atlanta Trade Center. You can click this link in your browser for more information: http://www.northatlantatradecenter.com/fishing.html
Thanks to all, and may God Bless -
Jimbo
Jimbo On Lanier - Jimbo's Spotted Bass Guide Service
Call: 770-542-7764
Website: www.jimboonlanier.com